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Newcastle United cornered themselves into a position where they simply had to take a gamble during the final throes of the January window.

With just 22 goals in 24 Premier League games so far this season, the Magpies had no choice but to sign a striker; there was no room for manoeuvre in that regard.

Having failed to finalise a single transfer during the first 20 days of the window - despite Rafa Benitez stressing he wanted all his business done by that stage - Newcastle have had to frantically scramble around for signings over the last week-and-a-half.

Kenedy arrived on loan, Martin Dubravka is bring brought in on an initial temporary move with a view to a permanent deal, while Leicester City’s Islam Slimani is the forward Newcastle appear set to sign.

Having failed to finalise a single transfer during the first 20 days of the window - despite Rafa Benitez stressing he wanted all his business done by that stage - Newcastle have had to frantically scramble around for signings over the last week-and-a-half.

Kenedy arrived on loan, Martin Dubravka is bring brought in on an initial temporary move with a view to a permanent deal, while Leicester City’s Islam Slimani is the forward Newcastle appear set to sign.

The Algeria international will undergo a medical on transfer deadline day ahead of a six-month loan move.

Benitez admitted last month that Newcastle would need to take “risks” during the January window. He stressed on Tuesday that the Magpies would be rolling the dice with whoever they recruit now.

Slimani certainly represents that, even if the 29-year-old does have Premier League experience.

He has been in England for 18 months now and has acclimatised to the pace and physicality of the top flight here - even if he has struggled for gametime at the King Power Stadium.

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But another reason why this is represents a gamble for Newcastle is the limited number of appearances Slimani can make for the club.

It is understood that the Algerian has a slight thigh injury and could be out for up to two weeks. If that is the case, then he will almost certainly sit out Sunday’s trip to Crystal Palace, and is a serious doubt for the match the following week against Manchester United.

He will then have a fortnight to recover and could make his debut against AFC Bournemouth on February 24.

It appears likely Slimani will feature in a maximum 10 games in all, given that he is ineligible to play against parent club Leicester in April.

Islam Slimani (Image: Plumb Images - Leicester City FC/Getty Images)

Due to the fact Newcastle have left their business until the last minute, they have already potentially cost themselves points this month given their lack of current firepower.

Remember, Slimani was not the top target this month either. That was Nicolai Jorgensen, but United would not stump up the cash for the Dane.

Daniel Sturridge was also ahead of Slimani on the list, but West Bromwich Albion swooped in and seemingly offered the financial means to tempt the Birmingham-born striker back to the West Midlands.

No matter how far down the initial pecking order Slimani was, however, he does represent a decent signing for Newcastle.

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Neither Joselu nor Dwight Gayle offer the same attacking aerial threat as Slimani. He is more of a natural finisher than the former, and appears more physically suited to the Premier League than the latter. If Christian Atsu, Jonjo Shelvey, Matt Ritchie and Kenedy can deliver crosses into the box, Slimani will score goals.

What’s more, Slimani could play up front by himself, or alongside either Joselu and Gayle.

Take Sturridge to one side - his top-flight scoring record was what attracted United to the England forward - and the majority of players who Benitez has looked to lure to Tyneside this month have been forwards very much in the Slimani mould; big, powerful and direct.

He has an impressive international record, with 27 goals in 56 games for Algeria, and he had a better than one-in-every-two-match scoring record during three years at Sporting Lisbon.

Islam Slimani prays after scoring his side's second goal during the Carabao Cup fourth round match at the King Power Stadium (Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire)

Former United chief scout Graham Carr recommended Slimani to Newcastle, who contemplated making an offer to the Portuguese club two years ago. If United had survived in 2016, Slimani may well have become a Magpie back that.

Since his £28million move to Leicester in August 2016, Slimani has struggled to establish himself as the main striker. Jamie Vardy often plays up front by himself, so Slimani’s opportunities have been limited.